
Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Santa Barbara (must see)
Founded in 1941, this museum is housed in a building that once served as the city’s post office, but now it’s all about serving up artistic masterpieces. With over 5,000 years of art history on display, you’ll find everything from Monet and Van Gogh to Degas, not to mention an impressive collection of Chinese art—think of it as a cultural adventure without the need for a passport.
But the experience doesn’t end with the classics. With rotating exhibits, there’s always something fresh to explore, from paintings and sculptures to ceramics. The museum is also a champion of emerging artists, so you might just discover the next big name before anyone else. Want to dive deeper? Join a docent-led tour or get hands-on in a workshop—because why settle for just admiring when you can roll up your sleeves and dive into creativity?
Need a break? Swing by the Museum Shop for quirky souvenirs or art books that’ll have you sounding like a genius at your next dinner party. Feeling hungry? Head to the café for light snacks, because even the most dedicated art lover deserves a little recharge. And if you’re in the mood for something more exclusive, the museum’s 154-seat auditorium is perfect for special events. Also, don't forget the library—packed with 50,000 books and 55,000 slides, it's a goldmine for the curious.
Ultimately, with its affordable admission and constantly rotating exhibits, this museum is a must-experience for anyone who’s into art, history, and a dash of surprise.
But the experience doesn’t end with the classics. With rotating exhibits, there’s always something fresh to explore, from paintings and sculptures to ceramics. The museum is also a champion of emerging artists, so you might just discover the next big name before anyone else. Want to dive deeper? Join a docent-led tour or get hands-on in a workshop—because why settle for just admiring when you can roll up your sleeves and dive into creativity?
Need a break? Swing by the Museum Shop for quirky souvenirs or art books that’ll have you sounding like a genius at your next dinner party. Feeling hungry? Head to the café for light snacks, because even the most dedicated art lover deserves a little recharge. And if you’re in the mood for something more exclusive, the museum’s 154-seat auditorium is perfect for special events. Also, don't forget the library—packed with 50,000 books and 55,000 slides, it's a goldmine for the curious.
Ultimately, with its affordable admission and constantly rotating exhibits, this museum is a must-experience for anyone who’s into art, history, and a dash of surprise.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Santa Barbara. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Santa Barbara Museum of Art on Map
Sight Name: Santa Barbara Museum of Art
Sight Location: Santa Barbara, USA (See walking tours in Santa Barbara)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Santa Barbara, USA (See walking tours in Santa Barbara)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Santa Barbara, California
Create Your Own Walk in Santa Barbara
Creating your own self-guided walk in Santa Barbara is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Santa Barbara Shopping Tour
Shopping in Santa Barbara, California is a serious affair! To those who may take it lightly, one can say (jokingly paraphrasing Oscar Wilde) that it is so shallow of them:) Indeed, from boutique-lined streets to charming courtyards, this coastal city boasts a wide retail spectrum, spanning from world-class stores to a multitude of local crafts shops fit to please even the most discerning and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Ranking as one of the most attractive places on earth, if only in terms of climate and geography alone, Santa Barbara boasts a wealth of historic architecture tastefully and seamlessly accommodated into the city's modern-day incarnation. To a first-time visitor to Santa Barbara, even the most cursory observation reveals the predominant role that these historic locations play in the identity... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Santa Barbara Introduction Walking Tour
A popular weekend location and coastal city, Santa Barbara, has some of Southern California's top locations. Originating as a Spanish mission in 1782 and incorporated as a city in the state of California in 1850, the city enjoys great popularity for its beaches and beautiful architecture.
This city's name comes from the original Spanish mission's name, and the mission property... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
This city's name comes from the original Spanish mission's name, and the mission property... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles